Women's Groups Call Prime Minister of Turkey, Tayyip Erdogan, to Work on Gender Relations and Sexual Orientation
Several Turkish women's organizations have called on Prime Minister to show commitment in policies that aimed to eliminate gender and sexual orientation inequality.
Several Turkish women's organizations have called on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to show the same commitment he is displaying for EU membership, in policies that aimed to eliminate gender and sexual orientation inequality. New Solutions to Women's Human Rights Fund released an open letter in the name of "Penal Code (TCK) Women's Platform" on August 26, 2004 Thursday, noting that in the Accession Partnership document for Turkey, and the Second Progress Report and Second National Program outlined policies that had to be implemented to ensure equality regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
The letter called on the draft of the Turkish Criminal Code (TCK) to be amended on the issues of honor killings, virginity tests and discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation as outlined by the women's right groups. The letter also called on Prime Minister Erdogan to amend the labor law to ensure equal opportunity in the work place.
On August 24, 2004 the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) decided to seek an extraordinary session of the Turkish Parliament on September 15, 2004 in order to debate a bill containing amendments to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the meeting of AKP’s Central Executive Council where the ruling party unanimously agreed to seek the extraordinary session. The President, Cabinet and Parliament speaker have the power to formally call such a session. The proposed penal code is expected to come into force in January 2005.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has declared Turkey's EU membership a top priority. Mr Erdogan is personally preparing for a very busy autumn with planned visits to the European hot spots in a final effort to secure his country a place at the European Union table. On 6 October 2004, the European Commission is expected to publish a crucial report on Turkey’s compliance with the standard criteria for European Union membership.
Sabah (Morning) Newspaper
Turkish Daily News
Several Turkish women's organizations have called on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to show the same commitment he is displaying for EU membership, in policies that aimed to eliminate gender and sexual orientation inequality. New Solutions to Women's Human Rights Fund released an open letter in the name of "Penal Code (TCK) Women's Platform" on August 26, 2004 Thursday, noting that in the Accession Partnership document for Turkey, and the Second Progress Report and Second National Program outlined policies that had to be implemented to ensure equality regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
The letter called on the draft of the Turkish Criminal Code (TCK) to be amended on the issues of honor killings, virginity tests and discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation as outlined by the women's right groups. The letter also called on Prime Minister Erdogan to amend the labor law to ensure equal opportunity in the work place.
On August 24, 2004 the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) decided to seek an extraordinary session of the Turkish Parliament on September 15, 2004 in order to debate a bill containing amendments to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the meeting of AKP’s Central Executive Council where the ruling party unanimously agreed to seek the extraordinary session. The President, Cabinet and Parliament speaker have the power to formally call such a session. The proposed penal code is expected to come into force in January 2005.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has declared Turkey's EU membership a top priority. Mr Erdogan is personally preparing for a very busy autumn with planned visits to the European hot spots in a final effort to secure his country a place at the European Union table. On 6 October 2004, the European Commission is expected to publish a crucial report on Turkey’s compliance with the standard criteria for European Union membership.
Sabah (Morning) Newspaper
Turkish Daily News
